Star of the Sea Convent, Howick. C 1936.; C 1936; 11070

Star of the Sea Convent, 29 Granger Rd, Howick.
Photo taken C 1936.
The building on right with square windows does no longer exist.
The buidling also facilitated orphanage run by the Sisters of Mercy.
Also available in the archive holder, other photos of the building taken in more recent years. One of which shows the cross above the rose window has been removed ad rose window blocked at one time and white Star of David is placed below.
The building is used as Howick Children's and Youth Theatre since 2008 and the exterior is painted in orange/beige. The cross has been reinstalled.
http://www.hcyt.org.nz/history/index.html

My sister and I were at Howick, Star of the Sea Orphanage for a couple of years, approx. 1956/1957 and possibly 1958. thereafter moving to another Sisters of Mercy Orphanage in Lower Hutt, Wellington area. Not a good experience in both convents. My natural inclination when talking about the nuns is to be polite and stoic but I have to be honest and say that the nuns were cruel in those days, lacking empathy and the convent buildings themselves were unwelcoming, not homely. As an adult I wonder if the women who became nuns in that era had agency to choose the life they really wanted - certainly in my experience the majority did not have vocations (with the odd exception). Beatings and cruel punishments were the norm, meted out regularly to myself and other 'orphans'. (Sisters of NO-Mercy I called them as an adult!). I hope for the sake of those asking for photos of loved ones that they are available as I imagine the records of those times are well and truely buried, if not carefully edited. My experience of the unnecessary cruelty has been a catalyst for my passion for human rights and social justice.

Robin Vreny Brutsch14 Jan 2018 08:10 AM,UTC

My mother was in the orphanage from around age 4 or 5 in 1934 / 35 . She is not sure how long she was here. She was placed in the orphanage with 2 of her sisters. Her brother was sent to St Josephs boys in Takapuna. Her parents had separated and because of the circumstances her mother was unable to have her children with her, as she had to work.
Mum has never had any photos of herself, so I am keen to track down anything at all or any information from that time. My mothers name was Fay Flynn. Her sisters were Dawn Flynn and Peggy Flynn.My email for contact is robinbrutsch@gmail.com

Robin Vreny Brutsch14 Jan 2018 08:09 AM,UTC

My mother was in the orphanage from around age 4 or 5 in 1934 / 35 . She is not sure how long she was here. She was placed in the orphanage with 2 of her sisters. Her brother was sent to St Josephs boys in Takapuna. Her parents had separated and because of the circumstances her mother was unable to have her children with her, as she had to work.
Mum has never had any photos of herself, so I am keen to track down anything at all or any information from that time. My mothers name was Fay Flynn. Her sisters were Dawn Flynn and Peggy Flynn.My email for contact is robinbrutsch@gmail.com

Robin Vreny Brutsch14 Jan 2018 08:09 AM,UTC

My mother was in the orphanage from around age 4 or 5 in 1934 / 35 . She is not sure how long she was here. She was placed in the orphanage with 2 of her sisters. Her brother was sent to St Josephs boys in Takapuna. Her parents had separated and because of the circumstances her mother was unable to have her children with her, as she had to work.
Mum has never had any photos of herself, so I am keen to track down anything at all or any information from that time. My mothers name was Fay Flynn. Her sisters were Dawn Flynn and Peggy Flynn.My email for contact is robinbrutsch@gmail.com

Helen Luka17 Jan 2017 01:23 AM,UTC

I was a boarder in 1959 for two years and as I was only 4 years old, I don't remember anyone else's name but do remember characters. I was very happy there. The sisters were firm but kind and often really nice to me, such as carry me back from the beach:)I would love to see photos from the early 60s of Star of the Sea. Feel free to email me if you wish: helenluka@Hotmail.com

Gail miller13 Dec 2016 08:38 AM,UTC

I'm am looking for any records of my stay st star of the sea convent I was there probably from 1955 or so maybe through to 1960 Sorry so unsure of dates as I had been removed by the state from my mother who was unstable and abusive any info appreciated could have been registered under gail Pauline Miller or Gail Pauline Cornelius. Thanks feel free to email me

Carol McEwen( Stapleton)05 Aug 2016 04:09 AM,UTC

MY sister Jeanette & I were also at this school Orphanage for some months April -July 1964.I also remember the blind music teacher. Bread & butter for afternoon tea. I remember being instructed how to make the bed- sheet pulled tightly over the very curved wirewove base so as to not display the huge curve in the bed! Fortunately our stay was short. Sheets, under wear was inspected in the dorm before being taken to the laundry- if not clean or showing suspicious marks, the children were belittled.
My sister was afraid of the shower and sat with her feet under the water when it was her turn. She wouldn't share a bath and so went unclean for weeks! I begged my mother too be taken home as I had a blood on my sheets from a blood nose.
Luckily this was our last day!!!

Anne Hill (Byrne)15 Jul 2016 06:51 AM,UTC

Hi Jacqueline and all,
I was at Star of The sea and tracked my one and only paper record by asking through the current sisters of Mercy Archives.It wasn't much.They were reasonably helpful.My sisters were Claire and Marcelle Byrne.
My e-mail is annelouisehill@hotmail.com . I will return to this page with the address of the place in Ponsonby.
Annie

Anne Hill (Byrne)15 Jul 2016 06:45 AM,UTC

Hi Jacqueline and all,
I was at Star of The sea and tracked my one and only paper record by asking through the current sisters of Mercy Archives.It wasn't much.They were reasonably helpful.My sisters were Claire and Marcelle Byrne.
My e-mail is annelouisehill@hotmail.com . I will return to this page with the address of the place in Ponsonby.
Annie

amara wirangi07 Jun 2016 02:05 AM,UTC

my mother brigid lenaghan and her 3 sisters attended star of the sea granger road howick in 1960 he sisters names were maureen, shauneen and catherine lenaghan. if anyone has any photos i would appreciate it so much. my email is amarastewart216@gmail.com. thank you so much

Julia Niziol25 May 2016 10:14 AM,UTC

My three sisters and I attended this boarding school in 1968 or 1969
Our mother went to hospital and our father passed away October 1968
Kathy,myself,Marietta,Juanita...Until our mother returned home.
I remember a blind nun..day school within the compound and day students, a big dormitory,kitchen duties etc
I to would love to see any photo's .
I would have been 9 or 10 years of age

26 Apr 2016 20:47 PM,UTC

Hi Penny Thompson
Just letting you know I remember Sabrina Holland though I have no contact with her now
My name is Lynette Radcliffe

Lynette Radcliffe26 Apr 2016 20:35 PM,UTC

I was in this orphanage in the late fifties-sixties. I would love to see photographs if there are any

Penny Thompson18 Apr 2016 00:36 AM,UTC

Hello, I attended this school in the 1960's, my name was Penelope Jayne Churchill, do you have any records or photos? I am also looking for a friend Sabrina Holland who also attended then. One of my House Nuns was Sister Mary Patrise? Any information would be greatly appreciated. Thank you. Regards Penny

Kathy28 Sep 2015 09:31 AM,UTC

my sister judy+ myself were at this place in 1960 , I have not very good memories, the nuns were not very nice sister Pious was very scary little kids got belted with wooden spoons for wetting beds, poor wee things

Lynda29 Apr 2015 09:29 AM,UTC

My 2 aunties were in this orphanage.They were admitted 9/3/1931.Virginia(6) and June (4)Ross.Any info would be most wonderful.My father was admitted to St Josephs on the same day.He remained there from age 5-15. Iwould love to see any photos of my aunties as children.Thank you.Lynda.nee Frazer(Ross).0272869770

Lynda29 Apr 2015 09:29 AM,UTC

My 2 aunties were in this orphanage.They were admitted 9/3/1931.Virginia(6) and June (4)Ross.Any info would be most wonderful.My father was admitted to St Josephs on the same day.He remained there from age 5-15. Iwould love to see any photos of my aunties as children.Thank you.Lynda.nee Frazer(Ross).0272869770

Jacqueline Elke Luckfiel05 Mar 2015 11:29 AM,UTC

I WANTED TO KNOW IF THERE WERE RECORDS OF MY STAY AT STAR OF THE SEA OR HOW TO TRACK THEM DOWN?

Frances McNair18 Jun 2013 03:11 AM,UTC

Love the photos of the Star of the sea convent, I was wondering if you have any photos of past students as my Mum was in the convent for some time thanking you My Mums name was Gloria Crisp
Frances McNair

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Star of the Sea Convent, Howick. C 1936.; C 1936; 11070

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